The role-play exercise is awesome. It is a great complement to my English Conversation classes and helped me put into practice the vocabulary I learned in each class. View example.
My conversation practice with ChatGPT (at least 3 times a week) is helping me to keep in touch with spoken English. If I don't practice conversational English, it makes conversation classes on Mondays more difficult.
What could be improved:
I realized that short videos between 2 and 3 minutes are better for learning. Longer videos make learning more difficult because they have a lot of information.
I found I have difficulties when I try to say in English "hubiera" and "habría". In general, I feel a little confused if I try to use a different tense to Present, Past, and Future. I need to find a way to apply new grammar to each lesson. Personally, I feel grammar is boring, but it's important to express my ideas with fluency. A small dose of grammar can be healthy.
When the plane lands, it will taxi to its gate. The attendant will let you leave. Take the Disembarkation or Arrival card and customs declaration forms you filled in. You’ll need them to enter the country. You can get these on the plane.
Follow the signs that say “Arrivals”. You’ll go to the Baggage Claim area if your travel is complete. You will go to the Domestic or International Transfer areas to make a connection. If your trip is complete, find the correct baggage carousel. Wait for your suitcase there. If your baggage is lost, make a claim at the Baggage Claim desk. The airline will have it delivered when it is found.
If your trip is not complete, you may connect to another flight on the same airline. You will need the boarding pass for this leg. You won’t need to check in again. Simply look on the boarding pass for your new flight number. Your luggage will be moved to your new plane.
Arriving on an International flight has extra steps. You first have to clear Emigration and Customs as you did before departure. The officials will scan and stamp your passport and ask you the purpose of your visit. It is important to stay relaxed. Any suspicious behavior is taken seriously. Then get your suitcase, give your customs declaration form to the customs official and proceed to the exit or transfers area. After finishing you won’t have to check in again if you’re connecting to another flight on the same airline. You have to take your luggage to the transfers area. Then go through the security checkpoint and find your new gate.
Dialogue 1.
- Good evening.
- Hello! I just arrived on Flight ACO 6-3.
- What’s the problem?
- My bag is missing.
- Are you at the correct carousel?
- Yes.
- What does your bag look like?
- It’s red with the black stripe down the sides.
- I’ll have your bag delivered.
- My name is Vivian Anderson. My local address is 569 39th Street West.
Dialogue 2.
- Good morning. Customs Declaration form, please.
- OK.
- We have a few questions.
- I hope it won’t take long. I have to get to Bangkok.
- Sir, there’s a problem with your Declaration form. You’ve been to a farm?
- Yes, I was at my uncle’s farm in England.
- Well, there’re restrictions on importing farm soil, plants or meat products.
- I haven’t imported anything.
- True. Your shoes are soil free and there are no band items in your bag. Thank you.
After getting on the aircraft, find your seat. Each seat is given a letter and number. Match your boarding pass to your seat. Put your carry-on luggage in an overhead bin. If it’s heavy, put it under the seat in front of you.
Your safety and comfort are important. Once you’re seated, fasten your seat belt and leave it on whenever you are seated. You may ask for extra pillows or blankets from the flight attendant. You may adjust the air coming from your overhead vent. Many airplanes have head rests and foot rests. First and business class passengers may get personal amenities to use. The flight crew will give an overview of the aircraft safety features, using a safety video or a demonstration. Pay attention. Look for the closest emergency exit. Electronic devices must be turned off when the airplane is taking off and landing. You must put away your tray table and keep your seat upright.
Once the aircraft reaches its cruising altitude, the flight attendants will begin in-flight service. You’ll get a set of headphones for the entertainment, movies, TV programs, news or music. Newspapers are also available. Food and drinks are part of in-flight service. On most international flights meals and drinks are free. First and business class passengers enjoy personalized menus with gourmet food. All passengers can enjoy in-flight duty-free shopping by looking in a catalogue.
You should watch your health. It’s recommended that you not drink caffeine or alcohol. Drink a lot of water. Stretch or walk five or ten minutes each hour. Airplanes are smoke free. The wash rooms have smoke detectors. If you ever need help, push the overhead call button.
Dialogue 1
- We’ll be landing soon. Please, turn off your laptop. - All right. - Also store your tray table, please. - OK. What is the local time? - It’s 7.40 p.m. in London. We’re due to land at 8 o’clock p.m. - Thanks. Where do I pick up my duty-free items? - I’ll bring them to you now. What is your name? - Jonathan James. - Just a moment.
Dialogue 2
- Excuse me. We will start dinner service in about ten minutes. Would you like a drink while you’re waiting? - Red wine, please. - Here you are. What would you like for dinner? - What do you recommend? - I recommend the fresh Atlantic salmon with lemon sauce and steamed asparagus. - Wow! That’s a gourmet meal! I’ll try that. - And for dessert? - I’d like the fresh fruit plate, please. - Your dinner will be served soon.
Take your passport, ticket, boarding pass and carry-on suitcase, when you leave the check-in counter. Go to the Security and Emigration and Customs Area of the airport. During high season there are long lines, you need to go early. You will first go through a security checkpoint. Here officers will take an X-ray of your belongings. You must put your things on the belt that goes to an X-ray machine. Some airports ask you to remove your shoes and belt as a security precaution. As your things move through the X-ray machine, you will walk through metal detector. This machine can tell if you have any metal items. If the scan finds anything suspicious, you will have to answer questions. You may be searched.
When you finish, get your belongings and go to an emigration kiosk. An official will ask to see, scan and stamp your passport. The officer will ask for your ticket and boarding pass. Scanning and stamping confirms your identity and records your departure. The officer will take your embarkation form. Fill out the form before you get there. You may have to answer questions about your itinerary, visa status and the reason of your travelling.
Get your papers and you can leave. Go to the gate on your boarding pass. You can also find your gate by looking on one of the television screens.
If you have time before your departure, go duty-free shopping. It’s a great opportunity to purchase items for less money. Common items, sold at duty-free stores are luxurious high-tech items like alcohol, clothing, jewelry, tobacco and various food items.
Dialogue 1.
- Please, step forward! - I’m running a little late today. - Please, put your belongings on the belt and go through the metal detector. - Should I remove my shoes and belt? - No, that’s OK. Please, empty your pockets, then come through again. - Oh, sorry! I forgot about my keys. - No problem. Can you open your bag? - Sure. - Everything looks OK.
Dialogue 2.
- Good afternoon! Boarding pass and passport, please. I also need your embarkation card. - Oh, no! I’ve lost it! - You’ll have to fill out another card. - I’ll be right back. - Hello again! Everything looks fine with your visa. Why are you in this country? - I run a travel agency here. - May I ask what is the purpose of your trip? - It’s a business trip. - I see. Have a nice time! - Thank you.
Check-in is the service that helps you to find a seat assignment, check your suitcase and get your boarding pass. There are many ways that you can check in. The most common way is the check-in counter at the terminal. Most airlines want you to check in at least 2 hours before your flight time. You will need to show your travel papers. Have your passport, visa and ticket or E-ticket ready. Also be sure to show your frequent-flier card. The attendant will ask you some security questions. Answer the questions honestly.
Ask for a seat that you like: aisle or window. Sitting in the bulkhead row or the emergency exit row will give you extra room. Bulkhead seats are recommended for passengers with children.
Most airlines offer online check-in services. You can print your boarding pass and choose your seat before you get to the airport. Online check-in is available 24 hours to 60 minutes before your departure.
You can also use an electronic check-in kiosk at the airport. This kiosk prints boarding passes and gives seat assignments. When using online check-in or kiosk, you must bring your suitcases to the airline counter before going through security.
With curbside check-in you don’t have to go to the ticket counter at all. This seems to be the fastest, because you go directly to your gate. Some airlines charge a fee for this process.
Whatever check-in method you use, the most important thing to remember is to check in early. Many airlines will cancel your reservation if you are not checked in 15 minutes before departure time.
Dialogue 1.
- Welcome to Ocean Air. - Hi! I’d like to check in. - Where are you travelling? - Cairo, Egypt. - Are you on the 10.35 a.m. flight? - Yes. - May I see your passport, please? - Sure. - Do you want the window or aisle? - I’d like the aisle. Is there an emergency row seat available? - Yes. Would you like that seat? - Please.
Dialogue 2.
- Welcome to Asia Airlines! Do you have a reservation? - I have an E-ticket, so I just need to check my baggage. - May I see your boarding pass and passport, please? OK! You’re assigned to Seat 1-Z in first class. - Great! - I have to ask you some security questions. Did you pack the bags yourself? - Yes. - Have they left your side? - No. - Good. Here’s your passport and boarding pass. You may go to airport security. - Thank you!
Making reservations can lower stress. Book hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions early. Plan flight 3 to 6 months before your departure. It’ll be busy in high season. High season is June, July or August. Also think about the popularity of your destination.
When reserving a flight, choose one way or round trip ticket. Also, choose first class or economy class. First class offers bigger seats, better service and luxurious food. Economy class is the most popular and cheapest, but it’s not as comfortable. Finally, if you need specific food because you’re a vegetarian, tell the airline before you leave.
You need to book hotel rooms. Tell the hotel what kind of room you want: standard, de luxe, single or double. You can get a suite if you need more than one room. Tell the hotel if you want a smoking or non-smoking room.
You may need to reserve a rental car or transportation tickets. There are many types of cars: you can choose small, midsize or full-size. Trains are popular for travelers. You have to make reservations.
Good restaurants are popular. If you want to eat somewhere famous, you’ll have to make a reservation.
It’s a good idea to book tourist attractions early. They often sell up quickly.
Reservations for your trip can be made at a travel agency. A travel agent will book you tickets and give you a paper ticket and itinerary. The Internet is an easy way to plan. It provides information, reservations and travel tips and advice. You can get discounts for booking online. To make reservation, fill in a reservation form and make your payment with a credit card. You’ll get an E-ticket, electronic ticket.
Dialogue 1.
- Good afternoon!
- Hi! I’d like to plan my honeymoon.
- Great! When do you want to go?
- July first.
- OK! That’s high season, so it will be expensive.
- Can you suggest a destination?
- How about Hawaii?
- It sounds great!
- All right, I’ll send your travel itinerary to you.
- Thanks!
- Have a good trip!
Dialogue 2.
- Let’s go to Europe for a vacation!
- Awesome!
- We can book it all on the Internet. Look! This website is perfect.
- There’re even photos and videos of the European countries.
- To book air tickets I only need to fill in our names and passport numbers, dates and destination.
- What about train reservations?
- If we book online, there’s a free upgrade from economy to first class.
